Mealy bug

Mealybugs are soft bodied, scale-like insect which is described as looking like a woodlouse covered in flour.  In fact it is covered with a powdery mealy waxy secretion.  Thes sap feeding insects are a troublesome pest of indoor or glasshouse plants.  Cacti and succulents are often affected but they can be seen on many other indoor/conservatory plants ie orchids and bougainvilleas where they can remain active all year.   They are often found in clusters on the underside of the leaves and in the leaf axis.